Magnetic object holder

ABSTRACT

A magnetic object holder is a device for releasably attaching an object to a ferromagnetic surface. The device can include an insulated flexible sleeve defining an interior space in which the object is removably receivable. The sleeve grips the object in an interference fit when the object is received in the interior space. One or more magnets secured to a portion of the sleeve enables the sleeve to be releasably attached to the ferromagnetic surface while the object is received in the interior sp ace.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/179,501, filed Nov. 2, 2018 and titled “Insulated MagneticBeverage Holder,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patentfile or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for holding anobject, and more particularly, to holders for beverage containers andother items.

People consume beverages from portable beverage containers every day indiverse settings all around the world. Some of the most common andwidely used portable beverage containers include mass produced aluminumcans, as well as bottles of different shapes and sizes made fromplastic, glass, or aluminum. Although the exact silhouette of thesecontainers can vary, they tend to have an overall shape that isgenerally cylindrical or include a generally cylindrical portion sizedto allow a user to grasp the container in one hand.

Open beverage containers must generally be stored upright on a flatstable surface or in a cupholder to prevent a beverage contained thereinfrom spilling. However, flat surfaces and cupholders are not alwaysavailable in all settings in which a user may desire to consume thebeverage, including when a user is aboard a watercraft or other vehicle.It can also be undesirable to rest a beverage container on the ground orfloor (even where suitably flat) in areas where small children oranimals are present, or in areas that have high foot traffic, because acontainer so placed could become inadvertently knocked over or pose atripping hazard. Thus, it can be desirable to secure the beveragecontainer to a nearby surface while retaining the ability to lift thecontainer for the purpose of drinking from it. It can also be desirableto insulate a chilled beverage from warming by ambient air, sunlight,and contact with a user's skin in order to both maintain the beverage ata given temperature and protect the user's hand from beverage containerswhich may be uncomfortably hot, cold, or wet.

Numerous beverage container holders have been developed that attempt butfail to accomplish these purposes. For example, beverage holders sold inthe United States under the KOOZIE® brand have been used to insulate andreduce slippage of beverage containers on flat surfaces. Such holdersare typically constructed of polystyrene foam or neoprene and areconfigured to essentially surround the beverage container. They alsooften have a non-slip surface intended to decrease the likelihood ofslippage. In addition, a base of increased diameter may serve tosomewhat increase the stability of the container against tipping.However, because there is necessarily a thickness associated with thebase portion, such devices serve to raise the center of gravity of thebeverage container, making them unstable even on flat surfaces andthereby increasing the likelihood of spillage in the absence of a cupholder.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,594 discloses a folding magnetic holding wrap forcups or mugs. The wrap device disclosed therein consists essential of aninitially flat, elongated strip of flexible material having releasablehook and loop fasteners secured to opposite surfaces of each of its twoopposing ends. The releasable fasteners are configured to engage eachother when the device is wrapped around a cup with the ends overlapping.A magnet centrally affixed to the wrap element between the sides andopposing ends permits the device to be mounted on a metal support whileholding a cup. However, the wrap device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,021,594 can fail to grip and inadvertently release the cup if the endsof the wrap are not properly engaged by the user or if the releasablefasteners become disengaged due to the overlapping ends of the wrapsnagging on the user's clothes or environment.

Accordingly, what is needed are improvements in devices for holdingbeverage containers and other objects, as well as methods for formingsuch devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention overcome or minimize some or all of theforegoing problems by providing a device for releasably securing a widevariety of objects, including but not limited to beverage containerssuch as bottles and cans, to a ferromagnetic surface using magnetism.Generally, the device includes an insulated flexible sleeve having atubular body with one or two open ends in which an object is removablyreceivable. The body of the sleeve is configured to stretch around andreleasably grip an object inserted therein in an interference fitwithout the need for unreliable releasable fasteners, which can fail orbecome inadvertently disengaged. One or more magnets secured to thetubular body enable the sleeve to be releasable secured to anyferromagnetic surface, regardless of the orientation of the surface. Thedevice is used by inserting an object into an open end of the sleeve,the interior surface of which forms an interference fit with theexterior surface of the object. The sleeve gripping an object can thenbe placed adjacent a ferromagnetic surface to releasably attach theobject to the surface until the sleeve and the object received thereinis lifted from the surface.

Accordingly, in one aspect, a magnetic object holder is a device forreleasably attaching an object to a ferromagnetic surface. The devicecan include an insulated flexible sleeve defining an interior space inwhich the object is removably receivable. The sleeve grips the object inan interference fit when the object is received in the interior space.One or more magnets secured to a portion of the sleeve enables thesleeve to be releasably attached to the ferromagnetic surface while theobject is received in the interior space.

In another aspect, insulated magnetic container holder is a device forreleasably attaching an object to a ferromagnetic surface, the deviceincluding a sheet of flexible material having two opposing ends securedtogether along a seam to form a tubular sleeve in which at least aportion of the object is removably receivable, at least one magnetsecured to the sleeve, and at least one patch fused to the sleeve aroundthe perimeter of the at least one magnet. The sleeve has an interiordiameter that is less than an exterior diameter of the object such thatthe sleeve releasably engages the object in an interference fit when theobject is received in the sleeve.

In yet another aspect, a method for forming a device for releasablyattaching an object to a ferromagnetic surface includes providing amagnet, a patch formed from a heat-activated adhesive material, and aflexible sleeve in which the object is removably receivable. The magnetis positioned between a portion of the flexible sleeve and the patch sothat a periphery of the patch extends beyond a perimeter of the magnet.Heat and pressure are then applied to the patch to fuse the patch to theflexible sleeve around the perimeter of the magnet.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the presentdisclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon areview of the following drawings and description of a preferredembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with referenceto the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeparts throughout the various drawings unless otherwise specified. In thedrawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, forthe sake of clarity.

FIG. 1A is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is an elevated rear perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1E is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1F is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1G is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1H is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1I is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B is an elevated rear perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2E is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2F is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3B is an elevated rear perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is an elevated side perspective view of a magnetic object holderconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is an elevated rear perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is an elevated side perspective view of a magnetic object holderconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B is an elevated rear perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of a magnetic object holderconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B is an elevated front perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the tab is in an extended position.

FIG. 7B is another elevated front perspective view of the magneticobject holder of FIG. 7A, wherein the tab is in a relaxed position.

FIG. 7C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7E is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the tab is in an extended position.

FIG. 7F is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention, wherein the tab is in an extended position.

FIG. 8A is an elevated side perspective view of a magnetic object holderconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8B is a front elevational view of the magnetic object holder ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a rear elevational view of the magnetic object holder of FIG.8A.

FIG. 8D is top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E is bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a portion of a magnetic object holderconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevated perspective view of a magnetic object holderconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11A is a top plan view of an embodiment of a flexible sheet for usein construction of a magnetic object holder of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a top plan view of another embodiment of a flexible sheetfor use in construction of a magnetic object holder of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11C is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a flexiblesheet for use in construction of a magnetic object holder of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12A is an elevated front perspective view of a magnetic objectholder constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention with a beverage container received therein.

FIG. 12B is an elevated rear perspective view of the magnetic objectholder of FIG. 12A with the beverage container removed.

FIG. 12C is a top plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 12Awith the beverage container removed.

FIG. 12D is a bottom plan view of the magnetic object holder of FIG. 12Awith the beverage container removed.

FIG. 13A is a top plan view of a weeded matrix of magnet covers orpatches constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13B is a top plan view of a magnet adhered to a heat transfer patchbacked by a carrier layer.

FIG. 13C is a top plan view of a flexible sleeve constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention showing anelongated strip of heat resistant compressible padding received in andflattening the sleeve.

FIG. 13D is a sectional view of the flexible sleeve and padding of FIG.13C.

FIG. 13E is a top plan view of the flexible sleeve and padding of FIG.13C showing a pair of magnets adhered to the exterior of the sleeveunder a pair of carrier layer-backed heat transfer patches.

FIG. 13F is a sectional view of the objects of FIG. 13E.

FIG. 13G is a sectional view of the objects of FIG. 13E showing theobjects under a compressive force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatare embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention.

To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments described herein, anumber of terms are defined below. The terms defined herein havemeanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in theareas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as “a,” “an,” and“the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but ratherinclude the general class of which a specific example may be used forillustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specificembodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit theinvention, except as set forth in the claims.

As described herein, an upright position is considered to be theposition of apparatus components while in proper operation or in anatural resting position as described herein. The words “vertical”,“horizontal”, “above”, “below”, “side”, “top”, “bottom” and otherorientation terms are described with respect to this upright positionduring operation unless otherwise specified. A person of skill in theart will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientationswhen in use. It is also contemplated that embodiments of the inventionmay be in orientations other than upright without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The term “when” is used to specify orientation for relative positions ofcomponents, not as a temporal limitation of the claims or apparatusdescribed and claimed herein unless otherwise specified. The terms“above”, “below”, “over”, and “under” mean “having an elevation orvertical height greater or lesser than” and are not intended to implythat one object or component is directly over or under another object orcomponent.

The phrase “in one embodiment,” as used herein does not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although it may. Conditional language usedherein, such as, among others, “can,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and thelike, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understoodwithin the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or withoutauthor input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/orstates are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are tobe construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but notlimited to,”) unless otherwise noted.

The terms “connected” and “coupled” are to be construed as partly orwholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if thereis something intervening.

As used herein, the term “object” means any container, such as a cup,mug, can, bottle, flask, pot, box, tank, gas cylinder, aerosol can, andthe like, and any other item, such as a flashlight, machinery, tool,appliance, and the like, which is desired or required to be secured to aferromagnetic surface. It should be understood that virtually any itemcan constitute an “object,” as the magnetic object holder disclosedherein can be adapted to various sizes and shapes within the constraintsof the weight of the object relative to the strength of the magnet used.

As used herein, the term “ferromagnetic” means any material having ahigh susceptibility to magnetization and to which a magnet is attractedwith a predictable magnetic force.

As used herein, the term “surface” means any surface to which an objectmay be desired or required to be attached, regardless of the orientationor texture of the surface. For example, a surface to which an object maybe desired or required to be attached can be horizontal, vertical,sloped, even, uneven, porous, non-porous, smooth, or rough. As such, theobject can be releasably attached to a surface in virtually anyorientation, including horizontal, upright, inverted, or anyintermediate position therebetween.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-12D, there are depicted various embodiments of amagnetic object holder configured to receive and releasably attach awide variety of objects to virtually any ferromagnetic surface.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate an embodiment of a magnetic object holder 1200.The device 1200 includes a hollow, generally cylindrical body or tubularsleeve 80 having an annular cross section, an open upper end 14, an openlower end 16, an exterior surface 12, and an interior surface 18. Theinterior surface 18 defines an interior space 17 sized and shaped toreceive and releasably retain or grip an object 7, such as a beveragecontainer 7. To achieve this, the interior space 17 has an interiordiameter 19 that is less than the exterior diameter 9 of the object 7.As such, when the object 7 is inserted into the interior space 17through either the upper 14 or lower 16 open end, the body 80 stretchesor expands around the object 7 and causes the interior surface 18 tofrictionally engage the object 7 in an interference fit. In this way,the device 1200 tightly yet releasably grips and retains the object 7 inthe interior space 17 of the body 80 without the need for releasablefasteners which can become inadvertently unfastened and release theobject 7 prematurely. Additionally, the use of two open ends 14, 16allows the sleeve 80 to grip and releasably retain objects that arelonger than the sleeve 80 itself, which increases the versatility of themagnetic object holder 1200 beyond that of traditional holders whichemploy only one open end opposite a closed base portion.

In some embodiments, the body or sleeve 80 can include a tapered portionin order to increase the amount of interference, and thus the tightnessof the fit, between the interior surface 18 of the body 80 and theexterior surface 8 of the object 7. A tapered body or sleeve can beparticular advantageous for use with objects that have a tapered ornon-cylindrical shape, including, for example, such common beveragecontainers as disposable coffee cups.

The body or sleeve 80 is formed from a flexible material, which in someembodiments, can advantageously be an insulating material such as rubberfoam or neoprene. The body or sleeve 80 of the magnetic object holder1200 is formed from a single generally rectangular sheet 85 of aflexible material, as exemplified in FIG. 11A. The sheet includes afirst end 83 and a second end 87, each of which corresponds to theopposing short ends 83, 87 of the rectangular sheet 85. The body 80 ofmagnetic object holder 1200 is formed by placing first and second ends83, 87 adjacent to each (i.e., end to end) and securing them togetheralong a seam 60 as shown in FIGS. 12A-12B.

The first and second ends 83, 87 of the sheet 85 can be secured togetherusing any means capable of reliably and lastingly securing the two ends83, 87 together. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 12A-12D, theends 83, 87 are secured together along the seam 60 by a row of stitching65. In other embodiments, ends 83, 87 can be fused, bonded, or adheredtogether along seam 60. For example, in some embodiments, the ends 83,87 can be secured together using a durable, heat activated adhesivepatch or bonding material such as heat transfer vinyl which is fused orbonded over the adjacent ends 83, 87 by the application of heat andpressure. When secured together along seam 60, ends 83, 87 of flexiblesheet 85 do not overlap, thereby providing the magnetic object holder1200 with continuous exterior and interior surfaces. This advantageouslyminimizes the chances that the ends 83, 87 will snag against a user'sperson, clothing, or environment and thereby becoming inadvertentlyseparated and prematurely releasing the object 7 during use. This alsomaximizes the surface area of the interior surface 18 which frictionallygrips the object.

The dimensions of the flexible sheet 85 can be varied to accommodate thediameter or other dimension of an object desired to be held in thedevice 1200, however, in one embodiment, the sheet 85 can have a widthof approximately 4.0 inches, a length of approximately 8.0 inches, and athickness of about 3.0 mm to about 6.0 mm.

Referring again to FIG. 12A, two magnets 10 are secured to the exteriorsurface 12 of the sleeve or body 80 by an overlying magnet cover orpatch 11. However, in some embodiments exemplified by the flexible sheet85 depicted in FIG. 11B, the magnets 10 can be secured to the sheet 85before the ends 83, 87 of the sheet are secured together along seam 60to form body 80. The magnets 10 enable the body 80, and thereby anyobject 7 received in the interior space 17, to be releasably attached orsecured to a vertical or near vertical ferromagnetic surface, such as anautomobile door or frame, a weight rack, a grill, a fence post, workbench, or other metal equipment or structure.

The magnet cover or patch 11 is formed from a thin yet durable adhesivematerial. In some embodiments, the patch 11 can be formed from aheat-activated adhesive patch or bonding material, such as heat transfervinyl, which can be fused or bonded to the exterior surface 12 of thebody 80 upon the application of heat and pressure. The patch 11 can havea larger surface area than either magnet 10 alone such that theperiphery of the patch 10 overlaps or overhangs the perimeter of eachmagnet 10 as shown in FIG. 12A. As such, when heat pressed onto the body80 as explained in more detailed below, the periphery of the patch 11becomes integrally fused to the exterior surface 12 around a perimeterof the magnets 10, and thereby secures the magnets 10 to the sleeve orbody 80 to form the magnet object holder 1200. Fusing the patch 11 tothe sleeve 80 around the perimeter of the magnets 10 provides animproved aesthetic appearance and ensures that the edges of the patch 11cannot become snagged or peeled away from the sleeve or body 80 toinadvertently release or separate the magnet 10 from the sleeve or body80. In this way, the patch or patches 11 permanently secure the magnets10 to the sleeve 80 and protect the magnets 10 from becoming dislodgedduring use of the magnetic beverage holder 1200.

It should be understood that although the magnetic object holder 1200 isdepicted in FIGS. 12A-12D as including two magnets 10 covered by asingle continuous patch 11, a magnetic object holder formed inaccordance with additional embodiments of the present invention canalternatively have a greater or lesser number of magnets 10 securedthereto by the same or a lesser number of adhesive magnet patches 11.For example, each magnet 10 can be covered and secured to the body orsleeve 80 of a magnetic object holder by a separate patch 11, asexemplified in FIG. 11B.

Referring again to FIGS. 12A-12D, in some embodiments, the magnets 10and overlying patch 11 can be positioned over the seam 60 and stitching65. Such a configuration helps maintain seam 60 securely closed byprotecting the stitching 65 from becoming severed and thus the ends 83,87 of the sheet 85 from becoming inadvertently separated. Consequently,it can be advantageous for the patch 11 to cover a greater portion ofthe stitching 65 or other closure means than the magnets 10. In someembodiments, the patch 11 can cover substantially all of the stitching65 or other closure means not already covered by one or more magnets 10.By covers “substantially all” of the stitching or other closure means itis meant that the patch 11 overlies or covers all the stitching 65 orother closure means which is visible from the exterior surface 12 of thedevice 1200 and which is not covered by a magnet 10. However, in otherembodiments, one or more magnets 10 can alternatively be secured by amagnet cover or patch 11 to a portion of the body 80 of the magneticobject holder 1000 at a location spaced away from the seam 60 andstitching 65, as exemplified in FIG. 10.

It should be noted that although the magnets 10 in FIGS. 12A-12D aresecured to an exterior surface 12 of the sheet of flexible material 85forming the body or sleeve 80 of the magnetic object holder 1200, insome embodiments, one or more magnets 10 can alternatively be securedwithin a portion of the constituent material from which the body orsleeve 80 of the magnetic object holder is formed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is a shown a portion of anotherembodiment of a magnetic object holder 900 constructed in accordancewith the present invention. The body 80 of the device 900 includes aninner or middle insulation layer 85 and two wicking layers 82, 84 bondedto either side of the insulation layer 85. The insulation layer 85 canbe formed from any flexible insulating material, including rubber foamand neoprene, while the wicking layers 82, 84 can be formed from anyflexible natural or synthetic textile. In some embodiments, the wickinglayers 82, 84 can be formed from a textile upon which a design may beprinted, such as a polyester fabric. In other embodiments, the exteriorlayer 84 can be formed from a resilient, or even rigid, polymer,including an extruded polymer.

An aperture 81 sized to receive one or more magnets 10 is providedthrough the exterior layer 84 and at least partially through a portionof the insulation layer 85. In some embodiments, however, the aperture81 can extend completely through the insulation layer 85 and both theinner and exterior layers 82, 84. The aperture 81 can be sized to haveapproximately the same diameter as the one or more magnets 10 in orderto ensure a snug fit when the one or more magnets 10 are received in theaperture 81. A magnet cover or patch 11 fused or bonded to the surfaceof each respective wicking layer 82, 84 covers and secures the one ormore magnets 10 within the body 80 of the magnetic object holder 900.

In other embodiments, the aperture 81 can extend through the insulatinglayer 85 only, and the one or more magnets 10 can be placed in theaperture 81 before the wicking layers 82, 84 are bonded to theirrespective sides of the insulating layer 85. This eliminates the needfor one or more separate magnet covers or patches 11 by relying on thewicking layers 82, 84 to retain the one or more magnets 10 in theaperture 81. Such a construction also advantageously permits a user toreverse (i.e., turn inside out) the magnetic beverage holder 900 so asto hide or display an uninterrupted design printed on one or bothwicking layers 82, 84. In such embodiments it is advisable to positionthe aperture 81 at a location spaced away from any seam 60, asexemplified in FIG. 10, so as to avoid unnecessarily weakening thestructural integrity of the body 80.

FIGS. 2A-2D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 200formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder200 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 1200 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,body or sleeve 280 is formed with three layers, including an insulativemiddle layer 85, a moisture wicking exterior layer 84 having an exteriorsurface 12, and a moisture wicking interior layer 82 having an interiorsurface 18. The interior surface 18 of interior layer 82 defines aninterior space 17 having an interior diameter 19 that is less than anexterior diameter 9 of an object 7 to be received in the interior space17, such as a beverage container 7. In use, the interior surface 18 ofthe interior layer 82 frictionally engages and wicks moisture away froman exterior surface 8 of the object 7, while the exterior surface 12 ofexterior layer 84 wicks moisture away from a user's hand.

However, in some embodiments, either one or both of interior layer 82and exterior layer 84 can be omitted such that the body or sleeve 80 isformed from a single layer 85 of flexible material. In additionalembodiments, all or a portion of the body 80 can be formed from aresilient or even rigid polymeric material, such as an extruded plastic,in order to provide a snap fit fitment between the object 7 and theinterior surface 18 of the body 80. For purposes of clarity, a seam 60is therefore omitted from FIGS. 2A-2D, although it is to be understoodthat the magnetic object holder 200 can include a vertical seam locatedanywhere around the circumference of the body 80.

In embodiments of a magnetic object holder 200 which include only asingle magnet 10, such as that depicted in FIGS. 2A-2D, it can bedesirable to secure the magnet 10 to a portion of the body or sleeve 80located near the open top end 14 where the magnet 10 will be above thecenter of gravity of the object 7 desired to be received in the interiorspace 17. This helps improve the stability of the magnetic object holder200 while it is in use and releasably attached to a ferromagneticsurface.

In additional embodiments, the magnetic object holder 200 can beprovided with two magnets 10 vertically aligned on the same side of thesleeve or body 80 as shown in FIG. 2E, or, alternatively, one elongatedbar magnet 13 as shown in FIG. 2F. In embodiments wherein two magnetsare provided, the magnets 10 can be secured to the body or sleeve 80 byan equal number of adhesive patches 11 (as shown in FIG. 2E) or a singlepatch 11 (as shown in FIG. 2F).

FIGS. 3A-3D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 300formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder300 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 200 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,the sidewalls of body 80 of magnetic object holder 300 are tapered sothat the upper open end 14 has an interior diameter 19 a that is greaterthan the interior diameter 19 b of the lower open end 16. The upper end14 of body 80 also includes an integrally formed, flexible lobe or tab25 a that extends upwardly above the lip of open upper end 14. A singlemagnet 10 is secured by a magnet cover or patch 11 to the tab 25 a aspreviously described. The tab 25 a is configured to extend above thecenter of gravity of an object 7, such as a beverage container, when theobject 7 is received in the body or sleeve 80 in order to increase thestability of the device 300 while it is releasably attached to avertical or near vertical ferromagnetic surface.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 500formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder500 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 300 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,magnetic object holder 500 has a hollow, generally cylindrical body ortubular sleeve 80, and omits flexible tab 25 a in favor of elongatedflexible tab 25 b. The flexible tab 25 b includes a proximal end 26 anda free distal end 28. The proximal end 26 is secured to the upper openend 14 of the body or sleeve 80 by stitching 67. However, in otherembodiments, the proximal end 26 of tab 25 b can be adhered or fused tothe upper end 14 of the body or sleeve 80. Tab 25 b is elongated so toallow the tab 25 b to relax and fold downward when not in use, as bestshown in FIG. 5B. The elongated flexible tab 25 b allows the device 500to be releasably attached to and stably hang from any ferromagneticsurface, regardless of the orientation of the surface.

FIGS. 7A-7D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 700formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder700 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 500 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,magnetic object holder 700 omits flexible tab 25 b in favor of widerflexible tab 25 c. A pair of magnets 10 is secured by a pair of magnetcovers or patches 11 to the distal end 28 of the tab 25 c as previouslydescribed. However, in other embodiments, a single magnet 10 can besecured to the distal end 28 of the tab 25 c, as shown in FIG. 7E. Inadditional embodiments, the flexible tab 25 c can be integrally formedwith the body or sleeve of the magnetic object holder 700, as shown inFIG. 7F.

FIGS. 4A-4D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 400formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder400 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 500 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,magnetic object holder 400 omits flexible tab 25 b in favor of flexiblegrab handle 30, which provides a convenient loop or handle for a user tograsp when holding or manipulating an object 7 received in the interiorspace 17 of the magnetic object holder 400. The handle 30 includes anupper end 34 and a lower end 36, each of which are secured to therespective upper 14 and lower 16 ends of the exterior surface 12 of thebody or sleeve 80 by stitching 37. However, in other embodiments, theupper and lower ends 34, 36 of handle 30 can be adhered or fused to theupper 14 and lower 16 ends of the body 80. A single magnet 10 is securedby a magnet cover or patch 11 to the upper end 34 of the handle 30 aspreviously described, although more magnets 10 can be used.

FIGS. 8A-8E depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 800formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder800 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 1200 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,magnetic object holder 800 includes an elongated decorative sidewall 45on one side of the body or sleeve 80. In one embodiment, the decorativesidewall 45 can be formed as part of an exterior flexible layer 84 ofthe body 80. In another embodiment, the decorative sidewall or cover 45can be formed from a resilient or rigid polymeric material. Thedecorative sidewall 45 is provided on an opposite side of the body 80from the pair of magnets 10 to cover and protect an object 7 received inthe interior space 17, such as an open beverage container 7, frompossible contaminants that could undesirably fall or become blown intothe container 7. Although the decorative cover 45 is depicted as havingthe appearance of a football, other aesthetic appearances can be used.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 600formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder600 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 200 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,magnetic object holder 600 further includes a bottom or base portion 50a which closes the lower end 16 of body 80 and is configured to providefurther support for an object 7 received in the interior space 17 andprevent the object 7 from prematurely exiting the body 18 through thelower end 16. An aperture 55 defined through the base portion 50 aallows liquid to drain or pass through the bottom 16 of the device 600.The base portion 50 a can be integrally formed with the body 80 of thedevice 600 as part of one or more previously described layers 82, 84,85, or separately formed from a piece of flexible material andsubsequently secured to the lower end 16 of the body 80.

FIGS. 1A-1D depict another embodiment of a magnetic object holder 100formed in accordance with the present invention. Magnetic object holder100 is alike in all aspects of form and function to magnetic objectholder 600 except as subsequently specifically described. Specifically,magnetic object holder 100 omits base portion 50 a in favor of baseportion 50 b. Base portion 50 b is integrally formed with body 80 from asingle sheet 85 b of flexible material having two generally rectangularportions 91, 93 connected by an elliptical portion 95 extending betweenthe two substantially rectangular portions 91, 93, as illustrated inFIG. 11C. The body 80 of magnetic object holder 100 with integral baseportion 50 b is formed from flexible sheet 85 b by securing edge 92 ofthe first rectangular portion 91 to edge 94 of the second rectangularportion 93 to form seam 61, and securing edge 96 of the firstrectangular portion 91 to edge 98 of the second rectangular portion 93to form seam 62, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. Suitable methods for securingthe edges of flexible sheet 85 b together along seams 61, 62 have beenpreviously described above with respect to assembly of magnetic objectholder 1200. Once corresponding edges 92, 94 and edges 96, 98 aresecured along seams 61, 62, respectively, the opposing ends 83, 87 offlexible sheet 85 b form the upper open end 14 or lip of the body 80 ofmagnetic object holder 100. When secured together along seams 61, 62,corresponding edges 92, 94 and edges 96, 98 of flexible sheet 85 badvantageously do not overlap. In this way, the magnetic object holder100 is advantageously provided with continuous exterior and interiorsurfaces.

As exemplified in FIG. 11C, one or more magnets 10 can be secured to anexterior surface or within a portion of the flexible sheet 85 b by oneor more magnet covers or patches 11 as previously described before thecorresponding edges 92, 94 and edges 96, 98 of flexible sheet 85 b aresecured together along seams 61, 62, respectively, to form the body 80of magnetic object holder 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 1E-1I, in other embodiments, the magnetic objectholder 100 can be formed with one or more magnets 10 of different shapessecured to the body 80 of the device 100 by one or more magnet covers orpatches 11 as previously described. In some embodiments, the one or moremagnets 10 and patches 11 can be secured to the body 80 after thecorresponding edges 92, 94 and edges 96, 98 of flexible sheet 85 b aresecured together along seams 61, 62, respectively. In other embodiments,the one or more magnets 10 and patches 11 can be secured to one or therectangular portions 91, 93 of the flexible sheet 85 b beforecorresponding edges 92, 94 and edges 96, 98 are secured together. Inadditional embodiments, two or more magnets 10 are vertically alignedand secured to the same side of the device 100.

Magnets suitable for use in all embodiments of the invention disclosedherein include relatively small magnets having a stronger magnetic forcethan that of common household magnets known widely as “refrigeratormagnets.” Preferred magnets include those capable of securing an objectweighing from about 0.35 to about 1.0 kilograms or more to aferromagnetic surface. In additional embodiments, suitable magnetsinclude rare earth magnets having a strength of about 10,000 Gauss ormore. In some embodiments, suitable magnets include neodymium magnetshaving a grade of N30, N35, N38, N42, or N52. In some embodiments,magnets suitable for use in the present invention include magnets with alayer of double sided adhesive on both sides.

Although the shape and size of the magnets can be varied to suit anintended application, in some embodiments, the magnets can be circularor generally rectangular in shape. Circular magnets can have, in someembodiments, a diameter of about 1.0 inch and a thickness of about 0.125inches. Generally rectangular magnets can have, in some embodiments, alength of from about 1.0 to about 3.0 inches, a width of about 0.5 toabout 1.0 inches, and a thickness of about 0.125 inches.

Generally, an embodiment of a magnetic object holder of the presentinvention can be formed according to the following steps.

A generally rectangular piece or sheet of neoprene having a width ofabout 4.0 inches, a length of about 8.0 inches, and a thickness of fromabout 3.0 mm to about 6.0 mm is obtained. The two opposing short ends83, 87 of the neoprene sheet 85 are sewn together along a seam 60 withstitching 65 to form a flexible insulated tubular sleeve 80 having twoopposing open ends 14, 16 as discussed above and illustrated in FIGS.10, 11A, and 12A-12B.

Two neodymium N52 disc-shaped magnets having a diameter of about 1.0inch and a thickness of about 0.125 inches are obtained. The magnetshave a layer of double-sided adhesive adhered to each side. A thinremovable backing layer covers the surface of each adhesive layeropposite the magnet (i.e., the exterior surface of the adhesive layerfacing away from the magnet). The backing layer can include a pull tabto facilitate quick and easy manual removal of the backing layer toexpose the underlying adhesive adhered to each surface of the magnets.

A roll of heat transfer vinyl material is obtained. The heat transfervinyl material is backed by a transparent, pressure-sensitive tackycarrier layer 99 (FIG. 13A). The heat transfer vinyl is placed into acomputer-controlled cutting plotter and a matrix or plurality ofcircular patches 11 is generated. Each patch 11 has a diameter of about1.5 inches. Excess heat transfer vinyl material is then “weeded” orremoved from around each patch 11 while the patches 11 are still adheredto the carrier layer 99, to create a sheet comprising a matrix ofpatches 11 as exemplified in FIG. 13A. The carrier layer 99 is then cutup or divided into multiple individual pieces wherein each piece ofcarrier layer 99 carries a single patch 11 and a portion of carrierlayer 99 extends beyond the perimeter of each patch 11, as exemplifiedin FIG. 13B. This periphery of carrier layer 99 is used to hold thepatch 11 in place on the surface of the neoprene sleeve 80 duringsubsequent handling and operations. The pieces of carrier layer 99 arethen placed on a flat work surface, such as a ferromagnetic table top,with each patch 11 facing upward.

The adhesive layer on a first side of each magnet 10 is exposed bypeeling the backing layer away from each respective first side of themagnets 10. The exposed adhesive surface of each magnet 10 is thenpressed against the upturned surface of a corresponding patch 11. Themagnets are adhered as near as possible to the center of each patch 11,as shown in FIG. 13B. The adhesive on the surface of the first side ofthe magnets 10 contacts and adheres the magnets 10 to the exposedsurfaces of the patches 11. This minimizes premature wear and tear ofthe patches 11 by deterring movement of the magnets 10 against thepatches 11 after the patches 11 have been secured to the sleeve 80around the magnet 10 in a subsequent operation.

An elongated strip of a heat resistant and highly compressible siliconepadding 70 is obtained. The strip of silicone padding 70 is preferablythicker than the neoprene from which the sleeve 80 is formed. Forexample, the strip of silicone padding 70 can have a thickness of fromabout 0.5 inches to about 1.0 inches. The strip of silicone padding 70has a length that greater than the diameter of the magnets 10. However,the length of the strip of silicone padding 70 can be from about 4.0inches to about 24.0 inches, although lesser and greater lengths areviable. The strip of silicone padding 70 has a width that that isapproximately the same as the width of the interior space 17 of thesleeve 80 when the sleeve 80 is flattened or compressed. For example,the strip of silicone padding 70 can have a width of about 3.0 inches.The strip of silicone padding 70 is inserted through one end of thesleeve 80 so that it rests in the interior space 17 of the sleeve 80 asillustrated in FIG. 13C and causes the sleeve to flatten as illustratedin FIG. 13D. This facilitates placement and adherence of the magnets 10to the sleeve 80 as described below.

The adhesive layer on the second side of each magnet 10 (i.e., oppositethe first side) is exposed by peeling the backing layer away from eachrespective second side of the magnets 10 without removing the patch 11and carrier layer 99 from the first side of each magnet 10. Theadhesive-covered second side of each patch-backed magnet 10 is thenplaced where desired against the exterior surface of the sleeve 80 sothat the patch 11 and carrier layer 99 cover the magnets 10 as shown inFIG. 13E. The magnets 10 and patches 11 can be placed over the seam 60and stitching 65 as illustrated in FIGS. 13E and 13F, but in otherembodiments, can be placed at other locations around the circumferenceof the sleeve 80 as explained above with reference to FIG. 10. Lightpressure can be applied where indicated by arrows in FIG. 13F to causethe carrier layer 99 of each magnet patch 11 to contact and gentlyadhere to the surface of the sleeve 80 around the patch 11. As a result,the carrier layers 99 will hold the patches 11 and underlying magnets 10in place on the sleeve 80 during subsequent handling and operations.

The entire assembly, including the sleeve 80 with magnet 10, patch 11,and carrier layer 99 adhered thereto, is then transferred to a heatpress. Heat and pressure (i.e., a compressive force) are applied to theassembly for a period of time sufficient fuse the periphery of the heattransfer vinyl patches 11 to the sleeve 80 around the perimeter of themagnets 10. In some embodiments, the temperature of the heat applied tothe assembly can be from about 295 degrees Fahrenheit to about 305degrees Fahrenheit. In some embodiments, the amount of pressure appliedto the assembly can be from about 5 PSI to about 50 PSI. In oneembodiment, the amount of pressure applied to the assembly is about 20PSI. In some embodiments, the period of time during which the heat andpressure is applied to the assembly can be from about 6 to about 20seconds. However, it is to be understood that the variables of heat,pressure, and time can vary depending on the type of heat transfer vinylused, the type of heat press used, and the thickness of the assembly.The presence of the strip of silicone padding 70 inside the sleeve 80allows the magnets 10 and surrounding heat transfer patch material 11 tobe embedded in the surface of the sleeve 80 upon application of heat andpressure to the upper exposed surface of the carrier layer 99, as shownin FIG. 13G (compressive force is indicated by an arrow). This allowsthe patches 11 to make a complete seal with the surface of the sleeve 80around the magnets 10. Once the heat press cycle is complete and thepressure 3 removed, both the silicone padding 70 and the flexible sleeve80 will rebound or expand to their original shapes, coordinately causingthe magnet to stretch the patch 11 tightly over and around itself. Thecarrier layers 99 are then peeled off of the magnets 10 while thecarrier layers 99 are still warm and pliable. The assembled magneticobject holder is then allowed to cool. Once cool, the magnetic objectholder is ready for use.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described indetail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. It shouldalso be understood that although the invention has been described in thecontext of a device for holding and releasably attaching beveragecontainers to a ferromagnetic surface, the invention disclosed herein isnot limited to use with beverage containers and can also be used to holdand releasably attach different types of containers and other objects,including various tools, utensils, and appliances, to a ferromagneticsurface. Examples of different objects which can be used with themagnetic object holder disclosed herein include aerosol cans,flashlights, spray bottles, jars, mobile electronic devices, wrenches,toothbrushes, razors, shampoo and conditioner bottles, as well as otherelongated, cylindrical, or partially cylindrical objects, among others.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention andalso to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention,including making and using any devices or systems and performing anyincorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is definedby the claims, and may include other examples that occur to thoseskilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within thescope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalentstructural elements with insubstantial differences from the literallanguages of the claims.

It will be understood that the particular embodiments described hereinare shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of theinvention. The principal features of this invention may be employed invarious embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalentsto the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents areconsidered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered bythe claims

All of the compositions and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein maybe made and/or executed without undue experimentation in light of thepresent disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this inventionhave been described in terms of the embodiments included herein, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that variations may beapplied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in thesequence of steps of the method described herein without departing fromthe concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. All such similarsubstitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art aredeemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention asdefined by the appended claims

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of thepresent invention of a new and useful MAGNETIC OBJECT HOLDER, it is notintended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scopeof this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

1. A device for releasably attaching an object to a ferromagneticsurface, comprising: a flexible sleeve defining an interior space inwhich the object is removably receivable, the sleeve formed from a sheetof flexible material having two opposing ends secured together along aseam such that the two opposing ends do not overlap; a magnet secured toan external surface of the sleeve over a portion of the seam; and apatch covering the magnet and fused to the sleeve around a perimeter ofthe magnet; wherein the sleeve grips the object when the object isreceived in the interior space.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thesleeve is a tubular or hollow cylindrical body.
 3. The device of claim1, wherein the sleeve has continuous interior and exterior surfaces. 4.The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an annular cross section.5. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an interior diameterthat is less than an exterior diameter of the object such that thesleeve frictionally engages the object in an interference fit when theobject is received in the interior space. 6-7. (canceled)
 8. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the two opposing ends of the sheet are stitched,bonded, or fused together. 9-12. (canceled)
 13. The device of claim 1,wherein the patch covers a greater portion of the seam than does themagnet.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the patch coverssubstantially all of the seam not covered by the magnet.
 15. The deviceof claim 1, wherein: the sleeve includes a first end and a second end;and the object is removably receivable in the interior space througheither the first or the second end.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein:the sleeve includes a first end and a second end; the object isremovably receivable in the interior space through the first end; andthe second end includes a base portion configured to prevent the objectfrom entering or exiting the interior space through the second end. 17.The device of claim 1, wherein: an interior surface of the flexiblesleeve frictionally engages an exterior surface of the object when theobject is received in the interior space.
 18. A device for releasablyattaching an object to a ferromagnetic surface, consisting of: a sheetof flexible material having two opposing ends secured together along aseam by stitching to form a tubular sleeve in which at least a portionof the object is removably receivable; at least one magnet secured to anexterior surface of the sleeve; and at least one patch fused to thesleeve around the at least one magnet so that the at least one patchcovers the at least one magnet and substantially all of the stitching;wherein the sleeve has an interior diameter that is less than anexterior diameter of the object such that the sleeve releasably engagesthe object in an interference fit when the object is received in thesleeve.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the two opposing ends of thesheet do not overlap. 20-30. (canceled)
 31. A device for releasablyattaching an object to a ferromagnetic surface, comprising: a sheet offlexible material having two opposing ends secured together along a seamto form a tubular sleeve in which at least a portion of the object isremovably receivable; a first magnet secured to the sleeve; a firstpatch secured to the sleeve around the first magnet so that the firstpatch covers the first magnet and a portion of the seam; wherein thesleeve grips the object when the object is received in the interiorspace.
 32. The device of claim 31, wherein the first magnet is securedto an external surface of the sleeve.
 33. The device of claim 31,wherein the first magnet is secured to the sleeve over a portion of theseam.
 34. The device of claim 31, further comprising: a second magnetsecured to the sleeve by the first patch; wherein the first patch coversthe first and second magnets and substantially all of the seam.
 35. Thedevice of claim 31, further comprising: a second magnet; and a secondpatch; wherein the second magnet is secured to the sleeve by the secondpatch, and the second patch is secured to the sleeve around the secondmagnet so that the second patch covers the second magnet and a secondportion of the seam that is not covered by the first patch.
 36. Thedevice of claim 31, wherein the two opposing ends of the sheet offlexible material do not overlap.
 37. The device of claim 31, whereinthe two opposing ends of the sheet are secured together by stitching.